On November 8, 2018, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and nine months ended September30, 2018. A copy of this press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.